Gas Fill Up

[DanMichSr]

I just purchased the Prius 07 Pkg 6 yesterday and of course the dealership filled up the tank. It was cold about -3F last night on the drive home and today was about 3 to 7 above. I put about 200 miles on it and the computer said it averaged 40mpg which I thought was pretty good considering I had the heater on high most of the time. The attendant at the gas pump could only put in 2 gallons which I thought should be more like 5 as the gas gauge was reading 1/2 way I guess 4 bars. I'm probably wrong but this is what I think that it was so cold out he had it on full force and it kept shutting off and he just stopped it at $5 which is a little over 2 gallons. I would think that if it was set on 1/2 the force to fill it would have shut off when the tank was actually full. The other thing is that even with the additional 2+ gallons it gauge still reads the 4 bars or 1/2 tank. Maybe it will read higher in the morning.

[txav8r]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DanMichSr @ Feb 6 2007, 04:25 PM) [snapback]386338[/snapback]</div>

I just purchased the Prius 07 Pkg 6 yesterday and of course the dealership filled up the tank. It was cold about -3F last night on the drive home and today was about 3 to 7 above. I put about 200 miles on it and the computer said it averaged 40mpg which I thought was pretty good considering I had the heater on high most of the time. The attendant at the gas pump could only put in 2 gallons which I thought should be more like 5 as the gas gauge was reading 1/2 way I guess 4 bars. I'm probably wrong but this is what I think that it was so cold out he had it on full force and it kept shutting off and he just stopped it at $5 which is a little over 2 gallons. I would think that if it was set on 1/2 the force to fill it would have shut off when the tank was actually full. The other thing is that even with the additional 2+ gallons it gauge still reads the 4 bars or 1/2 tank. Maybe it will read higher in the morning.
[/b]

From your post, it sounds as you already know that this is a temperature sensitive bladder tank. I have experienced at least a 1-2 gallon difference between full on cold vs. warm days. Even the dealer told me that. If someone else fills your tank, you can not be certain how much could or should have been added because of rate. We have some gas stations that the pumps run fast even on 1/2 speed. Also, I have noticed if it does shut off prematurely, I can not get any more in it anyway. There are many posts on here regarding overfilling and the bladder. Other than the mentioned known problems I have had, it is a good system but your lifetime mileage average will be a better indicator than tank to tank. You may find a station or two that the pumps are not reliable for you and those that are. Enjoy that new Prius!

[Charles Suitt]

<_< Many posts in PriusChat comment that the Guess Gauge does not reset unless you add approximately 3 gallons of fuel or more. One Prius peculiarity is the Guess Gauge, like most cars it is not linear and with the fuel bladder, ambient temperature has an effect on how much fuel you can pump - the bladder gets stiffer in colder temperatures.

Since there some variables, thinking your tank is half full since there are half the pips showing is inaccurate.

[JimN]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DanMichSr @ Feb 6 2007, 05:25 PM) [snapback]386338[/snapback]</div>

I just purchased the Prius 07 Pkg 6 yesterday and of course the dealership filled up the tank. It was cold about -3F last night on the drive home and today was about 3 to 7 above. I put about 200 miles on it and the computer said it averaged 40mpg which I thought was pretty good considering I had the heater on high most of the time. The attendant at the gas pump could only put in 2 gallons which I thought should be more like 5 as the gas gauge was reading 1/2 way I guess 4 bars. I'm probably wrong but this is what I think that it was so cold out he had it on full force and it kept shutting off and he just stopped it at $5 which is a little over 2 gallons. I would think that if it was set on 1/2 the force to fill it would have shut off when the tank was actually full. The other thing is that even with the additional 2+ gallons it gauge still reads the 4 bars or 1/2 tank. Maybe it will read higher in the morning.
[/b]

Welcome to the site. I believe in subfreezing temperatures the gauges "guess" and MFD are more unreliable. Here are some tips to help with mpg.

1. Pump gas as slow as you can to get the most in the tank.
2. Inflate tires to 42 front/40 rear.
3. Block the grill. Look for the thread "My first day with a blocked grill" for several techniques.
4. I set the temp on 70F and the car feels comfortable. Turn heater off when stopped.

Run the tank down to 1 or 2 pips. This is the season for low MPG. You'll see a big improvement in the spring.

[Bill Merchant]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Feb 6 2007, 05:43 PM) [snapback]386470[/snapback]</div>

4. I set the temp on 70F and the car feels comfortable. Turn heater off when stopped.[/b]

What is your reasoning for turning off the heater? How do you turn off your heater?

[DanMichSr]

It's hard to believe but I was looking forward to filling my gas tank myself. It was still reading about 4 bars after another 50 or 60 miles. I set the fill handle at the first click and filled the tank. I don't have any figures to give except that it shut off by itself and I didn't try to put any more gas in it. I then drove off and slowly the gauge climbed up to fulll all bars. Oh, the temp was about 17F and the sun was out. T-Shirt weather here in Maine....

[JimN]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Feb 7 2007, 12:18 AM) [snapback]386571[/snapback]</div>

What is your reasoning for turning off the heater? How do you turn off your heater?
[/b]

On the Climate screen I press the Off button when stopped at a light as the ICE is running just for cabin heat.

[CarolCulmer]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Feb 7 2007, 08:10 PM) [snapback]386758[/snapback]</div>

On the Climate screen I press the Off button when stopped at a light as the ICE is running just for cabin heat.
[/b]

What is "ICE" - I've seen that referred to on a number of posts. I'm new to this forum and a 2007 new Prius owner so just learning about things.....

[DaveinOlyWA]

ICE= internal combustion engine.

[dzucc]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Feb 7 2007, 08:10 PM) [snapback]386758[/snapback]</div>

On the Climate screen I press the Off button when stopped at a light as the ICE is running just for cabin heat.
[/b]

The other way is to push the a/c button above the temp up/down on the steering wheel. Most times you will hear the ICE shut off almost instantly. I usually turn on the heat ( with the same button ) when I get up to speed and shut it off as I come to a stop.